Nobody should dare to say that Jeep doesn't do chameleonic stuff because, over the years, its iconic Cherokee line of models has evolved from a full-size SUV variant of the Jeep Wagoneer to becoming one of the first compact SUVs on the market and then finally morphed into the popular style of a crossover SUV.
As it turns out, while the switch from a Jeep Wagoneer alumni to a compact off-road sport utility vehicle was a successful one across the XJ, KJ, and KK generations, the final move to the fifth generation KL as a crossover led to the series' demise. Yes, we know that Jeep's online portal still lists the 2023 Cherokee in the expensive Altitude Lux and Trailhawk trims ($37,695 and $41,295, respectively) – but that's just left-over inventory.
Instead, the model slotted between the Compass and the Grand Cherokee, introduced in 2013 at the New York International Auto Show, had a convoluted story – its original guise had the quirky split-headlight styling that's so fashionable these days courtesy of BMW or Hyundai. Still, maybe it was too ahead of its time. The facelift debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show with classic styling for the front fascia just when the odd split-headlight styling was coming into its own, thus turning the Cherokee back into a less interesting run-of-the-mill CUV.
Anyway, long story short, due to obviously declining sales, Jeep decided to axe the nameplate (they did the same with the smaller Renegade) and focus on other, more successful products like the iconic Wrangler, its Gladiator derivative, the Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer, as well as the electrified 4xe models plus the upcoming all-electric Wagoneer S. However, the rumor mill and the imaginative realm of digital car content creators won't let the Cherokee dead and buried – so they dug up in fantasy land the path to redemption for the sixth generation (KM) 2025 Jeep Cherokee.
The good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have unofficially imagined the CGI looks of the unannounced 2025 Jeep Cherokee (KM) based on comments by Jim Morrison, the corner office head honcho of Jeep in North America, who allegedly said the next Cherokee will be "bigger and better than ever." The channel's resident pixel master has also added 'bolder' to the CGI mix, and the resulting design project feels a little inspired by the Wagoneer S, not just the recent Grand Cherokee and ICE-powered Wagoneers.
Naturally, as per tradition, the CGI expert worked hard to present the hypothetical next iteration of the Jeep Cherokee in as many ritzy colors as possible. They also offer us a glimpse of the interior with even more shades – even dual-tone ones – plus a look back at their older renderings after a quick comparison between the real Jeep and the CGI new generation. So, what do you think?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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